Abstract

Antiretrovirals are a significant cost driver for HIV programmes. Current first-line regimens have performed well in real-life programmes, but have a low barrier to virological resistance and still carry toxicity that limits adherence. New drug developments may mean that we have access to safer, more robust and cheaper regimens, but only if the appropriate clinical trials are conducted. We briefly discuss these trials, and demonstrate the large cost savings to the South African HIV programme if these are successful.

Authors' affiliations

W F Venter, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

B Kaiser, Formerly UNITAID, Geneva, Switzerland

Y Pillay, HIV/AIDS, TB and Maternal, Child and Women’s Health in the South African National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa

F Conradie, Clinical HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand and Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, Johannesburg, South Africa